The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-08-31


edge TO the top of high hills two miles distant.
The Turkish quarter up the southern
hills, while the Armenian quarter IS to the
north. separated by valley. but rising to higher
ground
On this highest ground the church bells be-
gan ringing. 1t was Sunday, but the frantic
ringing of those great bells told of no common
service and drew no common congregation.
The wind blew fqriously from the north; the
air AID ground we're perfectly dry, for no rain
has fallen here for weeks, and the houses IN all
this part oe the city are mere tirder- boxes,
puilt of wood, huddled closely together, dry as
wood can be only when seasoned by the strong,
dry winds that blow beneath tho summer sun.
No wide-paved avenues upon which engines
can collect to fight the fire, but narrow lanes
overhung with balconies, and heaps of rubbish
everywhere.
Not fireengine proper on this side of the
Rosphorus, but some little boxes with handles to
them, and nozzies looking more like garden
svringes than instruments with which to fight
fire. No water supply. save here and there
we'll or cistern.
This was the state of affairs when the cry of
Fire. was raised Within half an hour flames
we're issuing from every house in district nearly
a quarter of mile long and two hundred yards
wide. The wind was sweeping down over the
hills. carrying great brands into untouched parts
of the city until it seemed that road must he
cut straight through these denssly populated
quarters. both Armenian and Turkish. down to
the waters edge.
Fire hrigades were called out and dozen of
those little boxes called fire-engines carried
from place TO place. The fire Was backing up
its way through a number of miserable shantes
Near stood Turkish officer with fifty soldiers,
doing nothing. He saw US and said: what
shall do2
We told him to tear down those old shauties
and prevent the fire from reaching their fine av
enue. He turned away and we saw him no
more. just then two fire companies brought
their 'eueines" and set them down. These
asked for water but no water was to be had.
Finally a small cask of water was brought and
poured into the box. for these engines have
suction arrangement, and the men pumped
till some force was gained and small stream OF
water was nut on the side OF nouse for half
minute. The water was used up and the en-
gines stood there useless.
My eyes lighted upon a despairing face that
knew belonged to no Turkish subject-a man
with gray mustache. wearing an old hat, shirt,
and pan tal oons, with such look of sad agony
the Turk cannot know. He looked toward
me. and I stepped forward and asked: lis your
house near hereP
.Yes, just there" and he pointed in the path
of the destroying monarch. tine Turks do not
want the fire put out; they won't let the men use
the water"
A fierce light shot from his gray eyes as he
spoke. He did not know that the fire companies
only work for those who are rich enough to pay
them, and this helps the rich aud drives the
poor to the wall
Most of the engines employed by the
insurance agents. They were about looking
where houses could be saved, and then di recting
their efforts in that direction. In the evening
the wind lulled somewhat. The Pasba
the scene. sitting in his chair smoking cigarettes,
and having attendant bearing decanter be-
side his chair. He was trying to prevent the
backing up of the fire toward the north. and had
company of soldiers with hooks on long poles
trying to tear down q shanty They succeeded
n tearing it down, and made a heap of rubbish
twelve feet high of light material just the thing
for bonfire Then the men stood and leaned
their hooks until the flames almost reached
the rubbish ana then the Pasha thought it well
to clear some of ir away.
just then a great commotion occurred and
with blowing of bugles and ringing of bells the
thIs-0raWn
foa fiecked pair of horses rolling in from
Pera. across the Bosphorous. a great space
cleared, and the company from Pera surveyed
the scene, but there was water, and after
while they turned around and drove away. They
had done what they could.
Down the same street CANA another fire compa-
py--four men bearing the fire box, and dozen
runl,ag before to clear the way, while another
dozen carried the hose in the They
running at fall tilt, yelling they ran, and
suddenly the whole company, fro engine and
all lay in q heap in the middle of the dusty
road. No fatal results They rose and went on
before
The fire ragged until midnight Churches.
schools and dwellings Were leveled to the
ground, and this morning forest of chimneys
rising above a mass of ashes marks the place
where fifteen hundred houses stood yesterday.
Twelve thousand people are left without homes,
but the summer time makes It easy for them to
live out of doors until they can find shelter.
This is glimpse of fire and its contingen-
cies in the capital of Turkey. Mohammedan
fatalism seems illustrated by the conduct of
government officials. God wills it; we cannot
oppose God" People made homeless and
penniless, property is destroyed, the State
slowly falls to pieces: but the Turk sits by and
smokes. To his credit must say that the law
makes the erection of all frame houses condi-
tional upon their boing succeed, and this is of
supply when engines are at hand is to
pitiabe sight. Even Athens, the capital of
little Greece, is better off. But Cons.antnople
waits for new occupants.